Filming underway for Tupac biopic

It’s been a long time in the making, but the Tupac Shakur biopic has started filming in Atlanta. “All Eyez on Me,’’ directed by Benny Boom, stars newcomer Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac.

Demetrius Shipp, seated, is shown on the set of “All Eyez on Me.’’

Morgan Creek Productions helped open auditions for the role, and producer L.T. Hutton asked Shipp to take on the lead part because of his uncanny resemblance to the rapper. According to TMZ, Shipp started taking acting classes four days a week to prepare for the role.

Joining Shipp in the biopic is an actor who’s quite familiar with playing a rapper. Jamal Woodard played Biggie Smalls in the biopic “Notorious’’ and will reprise his role in “All Eyez on Me.’’ The cast also includes Kat Graham as Jada Pinkett Smith, as well as Hill Harper.